Famous Stories of Italy: Storybook Places to Visit

"Prove yourself brave, truthful, and unselfish, and someday, you will be a real boy" -The Blue Fairy, Pinocchio  

Many places in Italy look as though they came straight from a fairy tale....stunning scenery and stories going on all around. In fact, many famous fairy tales and stories do have the honor of taking place in this country. Here we will look at perhaps two of the most famous in the world, which both took place in Italy. These are the stories of Pinocchio and Romeo and Juliet. Both of these stories are commonly known throughout the world, and are still highly regarded and celebrated in the Italian culture and cities. You can visit many places that preserve these stories on your Italian travels, continuing to add another page to your own adventure.

Pinocchio 
Many people know of the Disney adaption, and movie, of the story of Pinocchio (1943). The original tale is one of the most famous stories throughout all of Italy, and around the world. Pinocchio was written by Carlo Lorenzini, who took on the pen name of Carlo Collodi. A quick recap of the story...it takes place in Italy where a man named Geppetto creates a wooden marionette puppet boy. This boy, known as Pinocchio, is searching to achieve real boyhood. Pinocchio's nose grows whenever he lies (which has become a very common thing for parents to tell their kids will happen to them if they lie, comparing it to Pinocchio). In this story, there are many other characters as well. Many of the themes center around honesty and listening to your conscious.

Even over 130 years after its origination, on July 7th, 1881, Italy is still very proud of this story and celebrates it to this day. The story was originally published as La Storia di un Burattino (The Story of a Marionette), and then made into the commonly known book The Adventures of Pinocchio two years after. Many places in Florence have been found to be influentially connected with the book, so you can see the influence and celebration of the story throughout the city. While in Rome, we saw some stores that were solely dedicated to this famous fairy tale, and even had our pictures taken with some cutouts and replicas of the character.

The main Pinocchio attraction is in the town of Collodi, Tuscany, named after the author of the story. There is a park in this town that draws in over 200,000 visitors from around the world every year. The park is full of statues and commemorations of the story around all corners. It brings in the different scenes from the book, and captures the imagination. In the park also resides the tallest wooden statue of Pinocchio in the world. People of all ages love to visit this area, so it is a great place to take children as well! The park is open everyday from 8:30 to sunset, and costs only a small fee to enter. Many times in this small town, you can find additional different variations of celebrations revolving around the story and its creator.

Pinocchio has stood for over a century as one of the most well-revered fairy tales of all time. The Italian culture incorporates this ageless story into its history, and is very proud of it. Make sure to visit all of the fun places that incorporate the story of Pinocchio...but make sure not to tell a lie while you are there or your nose might grow :)

Romeo and Juliet
Almost everyone knows the story of Romeo and Juliet, as it is one of the most powerful love stories in history. It is the Shakespearean story of two star-crossed lovers who die for each other when they are forbidden to be together; thus, after the deaths of their children, reconciling the two feuding families. This story takes place in Verona, Italy and has made the city a very popular attraction.



Verona is roughly two hours from Venice and Milan, with about 265,000 residents. The city is a sought after tourist attraction, where visitors succumb to the romantic setting of Romeo and Juliet. In Verona, for only a few euros you can stand on the balcony that Juliet was on as Romeo declared his love for her. This balcony is a main focal point of the story, and thousands of people walk out onto it every year. You can also touch the bronze statue of Juliet in the courtyard, as it is said to bring you luck with love. These attractions are located at the House of Juliet where the real-life family, known as the Cappello family, lived.

Another interesting attraction that revolves around the tale of Romeo and Juliet in this city are the thousands of letters that come from around the world addressed simply to "Juliet, Verona, Italy." Volunteers take time to respond to the people who send these letters. You can visit the wall where hundreds of letters are attached and left to Juliet, as it is an awe to see. This wall has been introduced into even more fame recently with the movie Letters to Juliet.

The city of Verona is said to be one of the most romantic in the world, as you constantly feel like you are surrounded with beautiful stories of love.

Whether you are in the mood for a fairy tale-like atmosphere, or a romantic day in Verona, Italy has many places for you to visit. The stories behind these attractions are known throughout the world as some of the best, and most prominent, of all-time. Make sure to check out these amazing attractions on your trip to Italy!

"Life is a fairy tale. But to see it, you must open your eyes." - Olianna Port

Please feel free to leave comments or suggestions :)

Popular Sports in Italy

"Sports do not build character, they reveal it." - John Wooden

With all of the focus on March Madness happening in the United States, I thought it would be fun to note some of the sports that are very popular in Italy. These are only a few of the different sports that you can find throughout the country, but they are some of the most popular and are highly followed. The fans of Italian teams stand strongly behind their athletes, and make the sporting atmospheres all the better. Make sure to catch some games while you are in the country!

Soccer is the largest and most popular sport in the country; although, in Europe it is known as football. The Italian soccer team has won four world cups..tied for the second highest in the world with Germany, only behind Brazil! Italy's most recent world cup win was in 2006. Soccer is highly followed throughout the country, and you can find fans for every regional club as well. There are twenty regional clubs in Italy, leading to fierce rivalry during the season. For example, Rome and Palermo have their own clubs that play against each other in the Serie A. You can check out this website to get news on the many clubs, including their news, matches, and rosters: http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/86/italy

2006 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

Winter Sports are also popular within the country. These include activities such as skiing and luge, in which the country has won many championships. Italy held the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in the city of Turin. This Olympic event was a huge success, with over 2,500 athletes and 84 events. It also added speed skating to the Winter Olympics. The sport of curling became more popular within Italy after these Olympics. Winter sports are more popular in the northern regions of the country, where the mountains offer more prominent access to participate in the sports. Popular winter sports also include ice hockey and cross-country skiing.




Cycling has been popular for many years in Italy, and is continuing to gain momentum constantly. Italy holds the second most World Cycling Championships, behind only Belgium. Every year the country holds a grand cycling event known as the Giro d'Italia, which is a long distance race that usually runs north to south across the country. The title of the event translates to "tour of Italy." This event brings in athletes from around the globe, and is a famous sporting event throughout the world. The event this year is set to start on May 9th, and end three weeks later on May 31st. This is a great event to go see on your trip! More information can be found here:  http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2015



Volleyball may not be a sport many people think of right away as being associated with the country; however, the sport is very popular with Italians. In fact, volleyball is the most popular sport in some regions, even over soccer. The Italian volleyball league is highly respected throughout the world, with both men and women's teams being ranked. It is sometimes said to be considered the third hardest league in the world. There are also many people within the country who play on club teams and for recreation. Sometimes you can find pick up games of volleyball on the beaches throughout the country. Catching a national team game is a fun experience for the whole family on your trip.



Basketball. Lastly, as March Madness is going on we can't forget about basketball! In Italy, the sport is known as pallacanestro. Italy has had national basketball teams since the 1950's. Basketball is a popular sport in Italy and the national team is usually ranked fairly well. Italy is considered to have one of the top basketball leagues in all of Europe. Some Italian basketball teams are Sassari, Venezia, Virtus Roma, Trento, and many others. Like in soccer, the different clubs throughout the country foster a sense of rivalry within the sport and country. You can often times find tickets to go and watch the club teams compete!


So...with the NCAA March Madness going on, and all of the hype surrounding the tournament, it is fun to find the different sports that are so highly integrated into the Italian culture. Italy is known to have a great love for sports, and it can be seen when the teams are playing. Make sure to catch some of the sporting events during your travels to make your trip an even more amazing experience!

Arrivederci!

Top Travel Apps For Your Trip!

"Traveling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller." - Ibn Battuta

Traveling can be one of the greatest adventures of your life...and sometimes also some of the most stressful. New technology has allowed us to lessen this stress by having the capability to find almost any piece of information in a handheld device. It is extremely important to put down your phone and enjoy the serenity and adventure of your travel experiences; however, sometimes the technology available to us can be a great virtue. Here is a brief description of ten great apps to ease the stress, and help you enjoy more time during your travels:

Google Translate
In a previous post I talked about the Duolingo app where you can learn the language before you go; but, what do you do if you don't know the word while you are there? The Google Translate app is one of the top translation apps on the market, and allows you to translate over ninety languages. This app is unique in that it allows you to translate via typing the word/phrase, speaking, or by using the camera and taking a picture of something like a sign. One of the key things that this app boasts is the idea of "converse naturally and let Google translate." The ease of use in this app has helped many people to better understand the language in foreign environments, and in situations when working with different people.

WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp is a great tool to have during your trip! This app allows you to stay in communication with your family and friends who are at home in a simple way....and best yet, not having to pay the outrageous international phone bills! WhatsApp lets you text and call other people who have the app when you are connected to wifi. I used this to communicate with my family while in Italy, and my sister used it when in Mexico. During both of our trips the app worked fantastically,  and even allows you to send pictures over the app so your family can see all of your adventures! Although I haven't tried the voice messaging aspect, you can send voice messages to the other person as well.


Mapquest
Most people have used Mapquest before, but what about using it during your travels in another country? Mapquest can help you navigate the unfamiliar areas in the town or city that you are in. Also, if you plug in two locations to get directions, it will tell you the fastest routes. For example, if you go from Rome to Palermo, it will give you the route option of taking a ferry/boat between the two destinations, and tell you the estimated duration of the trip. This app is a must have for anyone who will be doing a lot of their own transportation (ie. driving, etc.) on their trip.




Weather Channel
The weather can affect your travel experiences ten-fold. Knowing what to expect for the current and upcoming days will help you to better plan what adventures you want to embark on. In the Weather Channel app, you can input multiple destinations and view the daily forecast, as well as the ten day forecast, for each location. This app will also notify you if there are any dangerous weather warnings or announcements. Additionally, you can break down the weather forecast by an hourly dimension.

Flight Apps
There are many apps that have been developed by airlines all across the world. For example, United, Delta, Southwest, American Airlines, and many more have created their own apps. These apps allow the user to track the times for their flight, and if there are any delays. The arrival and departure times are given, and some will let you know when the flight has landed so that you are at your gate in time. Also, some of these airlines have developed options to check in from your phone at the airport. Other flight applications developed include companies such as Kayak and Expedia, where you can book flights straight from your mobile device.


TripAdvisor 
TripAdvisor has many different variations of apps available at the app store. The main one is called TripAdvisor Hotels Flights Restaurants. This app lets you see reviews of different restaurants and hotels that other travelers have been to, and view their opinions/ratings of them. When you don't know anything about the area, this can be a great place to start. There are also options to find airfare and "things to do" through the app. Additionally, you can download maps and reviews ahead of time so that you can use them if you are offline. Not only can you read reviews, you can also see pictures that people have posted to the site, which you can use to gauge your interest in pursuing the hotel/restaurant/place.

TripIt
TripIt is a very highly rated app with many different features. TripIt allows you to put together a conclusive itinerary for your trip. You can set up the app by forwarding emails to the app from your inbox so that it automatically includes them into your personal itinerary. The app also automatically groups the information for each trip, with the similar dates/times so that everything is in order. From flights, directions, hotels, car pick ups, and other aspects of your trip, they will all be organized into one common place. Additionally, there are alerts built into the app to let you know if any flights have been changed, cancelled, or any gate notifications. This app is a great resource for anyone who is very busy on their trip and wants to stay organized while being on-the-go. TripIt has many options including a free version, an upgraded version that you can purchase, or buying in-app purchases within the free version itself.

My Currency Converter
How many people can quickly and easily covert the currency values in their head...especially when they change daily? The My Currency Converter app is a currency and exchange rate converter that allows the user to pick which two currencies that they would like to use, and which one they are converting to the other. For example, you can convert dollars into euros or vice-versa. It is a huge benefit to be able to stick to your budget while on your trip, and can make the difference of which experiences you get to embark on in regards to financial aspects. After looking at many other currency apps, I liked this one best for its simplicity and ease-of-use. Many others have also rated this app positively for its high quality.

Hotel Tonight
Hotel Tonight is an app that is for making last minute hotel reservations, and helps the user find the best deals. The app does this by comparing the surrounding area hotels, and showing you the prices and reviews for each. Although it says that it is for last minute bookings, you can select and book a hotel as far out as seven days in advance at the lower prices and deals.




Social Media
Of course who can forget all of the social media apps?! Don't worry, I am not going to talk a lot about each individual app right now; however, they can be important tools while on your trip. Facebook and Twitter allow you to stay up-to-date on all of the latest news, and stay in-touch with your family and friends. Additionally, these apps let you update your status to check in with your family and friends and share your adventures with them. Instagram allows you to share all of the amazing photos that you have taken during your trip with your followers. Snapchat can also be a fun app to have as a means of sending small snippets to all of your friends who are following your travel experiences!



Although you don't want to let technology overpower enjoying the "in-the-moment" aspects your trip, it can be a very useful tool to enhancing your travel experience. All of the apps above, and many more, will help you to stay in touch with others and make the most of your travels. BUT, don't forget to put your mobile devices down and enjoy the true experience of being in a new place and having new experiences while traveling.

Please leave any comments or suggestions :)

Arrivederci!

City Life: A Look at the 5 Largest Cities in Italy

Put down that map and get wonderfully lost

Well maybe getting lost, as in you don't know where you are going and can't get back to where you are staying for the night, is not a good idea. But, getting "lost" in the streets and culture of the city can have a tremendous positive impact on your trip. No matter if you are from a large city, or a small town in the middle of nowhere, the big cities in Italy are definitely worth your visit!

Let's explore a little bit more about these big cities, and a little bit about what you can expect from each of them. According to statista.com, and comparing it with other sites, the 5 largest cities in Italy (2013 population data) are the following:

1) ROME

Trevi Fountain at night

Never would've guessed that one right? With a population of roughly 2.86 million people, Rome is both the capital and largest city in Italy. The history in Rome is monumental. There are very few cities in the world today that have so much rich history, and historical sites, within a consistently growing and more modernizing environment. You can walk right from the shopping district over to the Roman Colosseum. Rome boasts many different attributes, including the Colosseum previously mentioned, the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, the Vatican City within the roman boarders, the Pantheon, and many other sites. And lets not forget the Trevi Fountain...make sure to throw in your coins when you visit! The first is a wish to one day come back to Rome, and the next is a wish of your choosing.

View from the top of St. Peter's Basilica

The streets are also filled with many different shops and restaurants, each of which are unique in their own way. Climbing the stairs in St. Peter's Basilica is a must on your trip, if you wish to have one of the most amazing views you will ever see. It is a 551 step trek up to the top of the dome; however, it is well worth the walk up. You can look out over the Pope's garden, the Vatican City, and much of Rome. There is too much to put into one post about Rome; many books are dedicated to just this city alone. Rome was easily one of my favorite places that I have ever been! On your trip, be sure to visit this historical city that is one of the top destinations in the world.





2) MILAN
Milan is located in northern Italy, and has a population of 1.32 million people. Milan is highly known all over the world for its fashion. Much of the city was rebuilt after World War II; however, there are still many historical sites to see on your trip. Milan also is home to many different shopping centers, and is one of the richest cities in Europe. This city has the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, known as the Duomo or Milan Cathedral. The Duomo is not only the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, but also has the title of being the third largest church in all of Europe. It is a very popular attraction for people from all over the world.

Milan Cathedral (Duomo in Milan)

Along with fashion, Milan is also highly regarded for its art and art history. The art museums will be a wholesome trip for any art enthusiast. In the Santa Maria delle Grazie, you can find one of Leonardo da Vinci's most famous works, titled "The Last Supper." You can find art dating back from the renaissance, all the way up to modern art. Many art festivals are also held in this city, so be sure to check out the official Milan tourism website to find out about any exhibitions you can catch while on your trip (www.tourism.milan.it).



3) NAPLES
As the third largest city in Italy, Naples has a population reaching about 990,000. This beautiful city is the largest in Southern Italy, and sits approximately two hours south of Rome. It is a hub to other very notable places, such a Pompeii. The Naples harbor is also said to be the most important port in all of the Southern part of Italy.

The center of Naples is a UNESCO World Heritage site, which only further provides proof of its historic and modern-day benefits to travel there. Naples provides some of the best museums and statues in the country, including the Museo Archeologio Nazionale (National Archaeological Museum) where you can see a wide array of the world's best Graeco-Roman artifacts. Many of the things that you can view in this museum were excavated from the Pompeii site.

Spaccanapoli Street

Well worth the visit is the street known as Spaccanapoli, which is the center of Naples. This street goes through the historic center, splitting it in half, and is mainly a pedestrian street where you can find many little interesting shops to explore. On this street, you can still see some of the remains of the original Greek city of Neapolis. There are also some of the best pastry shops in the area, along with many stores.





4) TURIN
Not as many people have heard about the city of Turin, which is located in the very northwest of Italy. Home to 900,000 people, Turin is the fourth largest city in the country. This city was the original capital of Italy for a very brief period of time, and its monarchy was given to the entire country when it unified in 1861. The Basilica of Superga is a very prominent church to visit while in town.

One of the most popular things to have originated from Turin is the chocolate that we eat today....thank you Turin! Along with chocolate, this large city is known for its cafe scene. The more laid back environment allows it to be known for its cafe style town. Turin was one of the first cities in Italy to bring a cafe society into the country; therefore, it still yields some of the best cafes in the country.

Basilica of Superga

While in Turin, you can also see collections from all over the world. This city is known for having one of the largest Egyptian artifacts collections in all of Europe, and the world. The museum that houses these ancient Egyptian artifacts is known as Museo Egizio. Throughout this city, you also get a lot of french influence. This is because, the city itself is only roughly an hour drive from the boarder of France. The rich Italian culture, mixed with the abundances of other cultures, make Turin a memorable city to visit while in Italy.

5) PALERMO
Palermo boasts the fifth largest population in Italy, with numbers totaling approximately 680,000 people. Palermo is a city known for its churches, theaters, and the catacomb that is situated here. Palermo is located in Sicily, and is a major connection point for people traveling around Sicily and the islands off of the coast. We stayed here twice during our visit while traveling.

Massimo Theater

Palermo has many churches full of the history of the Sicilian culture. Many of the churches that we went into had some of the most amazingly detailed work I have ever seen in my life (picture of the inside of one of the churches shown later). Some of the churches do cost a very small fee to get into, or ask for a donation to visit. The Massimo Theater is also a large part of this city. This theater is one of the largest performing arts theaters in Italy, and a main focal point within the city itself.

Inside Catacombe dei Cappuccini

One of the most amazing things to experience in Palermo is the catacomb; although, it can be a bone-chilling experience. The Catacombe dei Cappuccini is located more on the outskirts of the city, but is well worth the trip. This catacomb is a historical site; however, unlike many other sites, you are not allowed to take pictures inside....so make sure to get a postcard to keep as a memory. As gruesome as it may sound, the catacombs are a very interesting place to visit. This catacomb holds over 8000 people, dating back from the 1500's until fairly recently (within the last decade). Some of the skeletons hanging on the walls....honestly within about an arms reach....still have visible hair, eyelashes, teeth, etc. All of these people are also still in the cloths from that time period, so it is interesting to see the actual people from those days so long ago. There is a girl named Rosalia in this catacomb who died in 1920, at the age of two, from pneumonia. Her father had her preserved, and she is nicknamed "sleeping beauty" because it literally looks like she is taking a nap. Rosalia has been the focus of many articles by big sources such as Discovery.

Lastly, in Palermo there is a very cool old world market (a picture of which can be seen in the previous blog post). In this market, you can experience how many people in Italy have come to get their food for centuries. As you walk through the market, you will hear people yelling out prices etc., and can see the different array of fish caught that morning that are now for sale.

Inside of a church in Palermo

These cities all have numerous additoinal attractions to visit and see. Make sure that if you have the chance to stop by them, you pay a visit. The big cities are a great place to see both the historic side of the culture, as well as the vibrant life of the modern day city. 

"Notti d'estate e le luci della città"

Please feel free to leave comments!